Fire overnight scorches Lillie's Q restaurant in Bucktown

A fire gutted a well-known barbecue restaurant in the Bucktown neighborhood. (WGN TV)

A fire gutted a well-known barbecue restaurant in the Bucktown neighborhood. (WGN TV)

Kevin Pang, Mick Swasko and Peter NickeasTribune reporters

A fire that broke out in the basement of Lillie's Q barbecue restaurant in the Bucktown neighborhood late Thursday night destroyed the restaurant and left a firefighter with minor injuries, officials said.

The fire at 11:40 p.m. at the restaurant at 1856 W. North Avenue, officials said. Fire officials said the fire rekindled later at about 4:18 a.m.

Officials said most of the damage happened in the basement at their Bucktown flagship. Service will be halted there and their Chicago French Market satellite, said Dave Andrews, a restaurant spokesman.

The main dining room in Bucktown sustained smoke damage, he said.

Firefighters told restaurant officials that the fire likely started in a water heater in the basement, and not one of the smokers. There were also apartments above the restaurant.

Lillie's Q opened in Summer of 2010. The chef, Charlie McKenna, was a 2007 champion in the pork shoulder category in the prestigious Memphis in May competition.

Chicago Police closed North Avenue in both directions near Wood Street while firefighters worked to contain the fire.

After the fire rekindled at 4:18 a.m. firefighters returned to the restaurant and a firefighter sustained minor injuries at that point.